chapter 72

Chapter 72 – "Cracks in the Cause"

The air in the Sanctuary felt thicker than usual.

Rosita walked alone, her arms free, her legs steady—but her mind weighed down by a storm of thoughts. The ropes were gone, but her chest felt just as tight. The guilt was sinking in like mud, and every face she passed stared at her like she didn't belong.

Because she didn't.

She caught a glimpse of children laughing near a broken-down truck. Women hanging clothes. Men fixing an old generator. It was a community, not just a base. Not a monster's den like Rick made it sound.

This wasn't supposed to look human.

They were supposed to be villains. Monsters. But they were just surviving.

Then she heard the voice.

"You killed my brother."

Rosita froze.

A woman stood a few feet away, eyes burning with rage and tears. Her face was worn, her arms trembling. But her voice? Her voice cut deep.

"You told him—if he kills Negan or Axel, Rick will take him in. That he'd be a hero. You told him that, didn't you?"

Rosita couldn't respond.

"You tricked him. Sent him to die. My baby brother didn't know war—he just wanted a better life. You fed him lies, and now he's rotting in the dirt."

The other women nearby looked on, silent but judging.

"You hate Axel? You hate Negan? Then why don't you kill them? Huh?" The woman stepped forward. "Why didn't Rick come himself if he wanted them dead so bad?"

Rosita looked down.

"What did we ever do to deserve being pawns in your game?" the woman hissed, voice cracking.

There was no answer Rosita could give. Because the truth was ugly, and she knew it.

Rick's plan was never about this one attempt. It was a tactic—get Negan's men to kill him. Create internal chaos. Thin the herd. Make Axel and Negan weaker for the eventual strike.

But it backfired.

Axel and Negan had slaughtered nearly half of the would-be traitors. Now the Sanctuary was angrier. More loyal. More dangerous.

And Rosita… had lost even the illusion of being the righteous one.

She turned away without a word, her hands shaking. Her throat was dry. Her heart? Numb.

In the shadows above, Silas watched from the metal rafters. Still. Silent. Hidden in plain sight.

Axel's orders were clear:

"Follow her. Don't let her see you. If she runs, grab her. If she plays another game… tell me."

Silas said nothing. But his grip tightened around his blade as he followed quietly from above, eyes sharp and cold.

Rosita was unraveling—and Axel was watching every thread come loose.

....

The night had a strange stillness to it. The wind barely moved, the fires around the Sanctuary burned low, casting long shadows over steel and stone.

Inside Axel's room, silence reigned. He sat by the window, smoke curling from his cigarette, his eyes distant. Not angry. Not at peace. Just… quiet. As if waiting for something that hadn't yet arrived.

Silas stood beside him like a statue. No words. No questions. Just unwavering presence.

"She's breaking," Axel muttered softly.

Silas didn't answer.

"Rosita… she's seen it now. This place. These people. The price of lies."

He flicked the ash from his cigarette, watching it vanish into the wind.

"I wonder if Rick expected that."

Still silence from Silas. But Axel didn't need a reply. He was thinking out loud, speaking more to the air than to the man behind him.

"She was loyal. Maybe still is. But every day she breathes in this place, she realizes the truth."

Axel stood, stretched his arms, and walked to the door.

"Come."

Silas followed, obedient as always.

They found Rosita alone near the back garden. She sat on a low bench, her face pale, eyes hollow. She didn't flinch when Axel approached. She didn't run.

She looked up slowly.

"You came to break me," she whispered.

Axel didn't deny it.

"I came to show you what your cause really costs."

Rosita laughed bitterly. "You already did."

He crouched in front of her, eyes leveled with hers.

"Do you still believe in him?" he asked.

She hesitated.

Then: "I… don't know anymore."

That was enough.

Axel stood and offered no comfort.

"Then let the ashes fall where they may."

He turned and walked off. Silas stayed behind a moment, watching Rosita. Her breathing was heavy. Her hands were trembling.

And as she sat there, breaking quietly in the dark, Silas whispered under his breath—

"Welcome to the ruins."

Then he followed Axel into the shadows.

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